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Pau Lo

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similar data

What is the best way to identify similar data when comparing 2 columns.

I have one sheet of data that has been matched together from 2 seperate databases on postal/zip code of businesses. So where the zip code matches I have address 1 and name from two databases joined on where zip code matched, and then input into excel.

There are two columns per database I need to match to get a true match but there are some typos in one database that means I am not getting true matches.

I have been doing IF statements where if (column A - which was the output of DB A businesses addresses matches exactly to column C - which was the output of DB B business addressed, then type "match" in column E).

Also in column F I do an IF statement for columns B and D for exact matches, this time it is business address line 1 - so if they match exact then "match", if not then "not".

However when reviewing the nots I see some minor typos in database B which means they are matches, but a character is slightly wrong, or theres a comma added by mistake.

How can I identify "likely to be matched with typos"?

Is there anyway to say "1 character differs", or "2 characters differ" or any other ideas?
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ukerandi
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Pau Lo

ASKER

Its not just commas thought that's just one of many cases other times it can be one or two characters wrong
can you send me some example data
if you can give some examples i can create formulae
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ASKER

Sorry its commercially sensitive